DRAKE'S POOL,CROSSHAVEN

Jonty Pearce finds complete shelter in this historic and tranquil Irish anchorage close to Cork Harbour

- Jonty Pearce

History records that in 1589 Sir Francis Drake’s small squadron of five warships was chased into Cork Harbour by an overpoweringly strong Spanish fleet. Turning swiftly to port after rounding Rams Head he entered the River Owenboy and continued upriver past Crosshaven until he found a secluded anchorage in a pool set deep in cloaking woodland and hills. This safe basin is now called Drake’s Pool; the Spaniards sailed up into Cork Harbour but were perplexed not to trap their prey, returning to sea empty-handed.